Former Notre Dame star quarterback, Brady Quinn, has set high expectations for his alma mater as they enter the upcoming college football season.
With the arrival of seasoned quarterback Sam Hartman, Quinn believes the Fighting Irish are going “all in” on their quest for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Speaking on the “Rich Eisen Show,” Quinn expressed confidence in Notre Dame’s chances, citing the addition of Hartman as a key factor in their pursuit of a national championship.
“Anytime you’ve got a guy who’s, I think, the all-time leading passer in ACC history coming in for a sixth year, you’ve got high aspirations at Notre Dame,” said Quinn. “And Sam is a very mature, very productive, smart player, tough player.. So, you know, having him gives you a huge shot at doing that.”
Sam Hartman. Green jersey guy. https://t.co/OiNbuJxsvL pic.twitter.com/hDmcBG3Oq2
— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) July 31, 2023
Quinn also emphasized the strength of Notre Dame’s offensive line and the potential for a formidable defense. He believes that with their talented roster, the Fighting Irish have the potential to make a serious run for the CFP.
“Their offensive line, it’s a bunch of future NFL players so they’re gonna be able to run the football,” Quinn explained. “And defensively, they’ve done a tremendous job to really be in that stable place. But now we got to have some stars emerge.”
“There’s always high aspirations when you’re playing [for] Notre Dame. You talk to players and coaches, their goal is to win the conference, [but] at Notre Dame, you’re just trying to get in that Playoff trying to win a national championship.”
Under the leadership of Marcus Freeman in his first season as head coach, Notre Dame ended the 2022 season with a respectable 9-4 record. However, a strong stretch to end the season showcased the team’s potential going forward.
This year’s schedule poses significant challenges for the Fighting Irish, with matchups against top programs such as Ohio State, USC, and Clemson. Nonetheless, Quinn believes Notre Dame can be a genuine contender in the CFP with improved quarterback play from last season.
Do you agree with Quinn?
Do you think Hartman can lead the Irish to the Playoff?